Hanwha Asset Management Unveils New ETF Brand 'PLUS'... "Leading to a Prosperous Future" (Comprehensive)

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Hanwha Asset Management is changing its exchange-traded fund (ETF) brand name from 'ARIRANG' to 'PLUS' for the first time in 15 years. The name 'PLUS' embodies the company's commitment and determination to protect customers' assets and realize values beyond everyday life, providing a richer future.

Kwon Hee-baek, CEO of Hanwha Asset Management, speaking at the launch ceremony of the Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) brand held on the 23rd at the Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yoo Hyun-seok

On the 23rd, Hanwha Asset Management announced the launch of its new ETF brand 'PLUS' at the Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. At the event, Kwon Hee-baek, CEO of Hanwha Asset Management, stated, "PLUS is a brand that reflects our strategic intention to lead the development of the ETF market while adding value. Based on Hanwha Group's belief in a 'sustainable tomorrow,' we aim to proactively discover new technologies that can enrich the future of humanity, support efforts to commercialize them, and share the resulting achievements."

He continued, "PLUS ETFs will enrich humanity's tomorrow based on Hanwha Group's beliefs. We will prioritize substance and performance over appearance to provide customers with economic freedom," emphasizing the company's focus.

Following CEO Kwon's remarks, Choi Young-jin, Head of the Strategic Business Division at Hanwha Asset Management, explained the reason for the brand change. Choi said, "In response to changing times and financial market trends, we decided to change the brand to provide better services to our customers. We have contemplated how to discover invisible value and offer a richer future."

He also explained the brand image (BI). The new brand's brackets and the plus sign inside are likened to a mother bird carefully protecting her eggs in a nest. Additionally, viewing the brackets as a function and the plus sign inside as a variable value, the function's value represents infinity, symbolizing infinite possibilities.

Choi Young-jin, Head of Strategic Business Division at Hanwha Asset Management (left), and Geum Jeong-seop, Head of ETF Business Division at Hanwha Asset Management, are seen answering questions at the ETF brand launch ceremony held on the 23rd at Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yoo Hyun-seok

Since entering the ETF market in 2009, Hanwha Asset Management has launched products such as high-dividend stocks and defense ETFs. The total net assets of its ETFs amount to approximately 3.57 trillion KRW, competing for the fifth position alongside Shinhan Asset Management and Kiwoom Investment Asset Management. Hanwha plans to focus on qualitative aspects rather than quantitative product development based on the launch of PLUS ETFs.

Choi said, "Although the ETF market has grown quantitatively, it is difficult to say whether it has grown qualitatively or whether only products that help customers achieve abundant economic freedom have been launched. Rather than aiming to be ranked a certain position or targeting a specific market share as an ETF player, we want to introduce products that customers want to invest in from their perspective."

Hanwha Asset Management also unveiled new ETFs to be launched following the brand change, including 'PLUS High Dividend Premium Weekly Call Option,' 'PLUS Japan Yen Ultra-Short-Term Government Bond,' and 'PLUS Global AI Infrastructure.'

Geum Jeong-seop, Head of the ETF Business Division at Hanwha Asset Management, described the 'PLUS High Dividend Premium Weekly Call Option' as a product that invests in the same stocks as the 'PLUS High Dividend Stocks,' which are expected to yield dividends in the 5% range annually, while simultaneously selling weekly KOSPI 200 options to receive premiums. He emphasized, "It pays monthly distributions of about 1.2%, or 14.4% annually, which will provide investors with immediate satisfaction."

Additionally, Hanwha is launching the 'PLUS Japan Yen Ultra-Short-Term Government Bond,' which invests in Japanese Ministry of Finance-issued government bonds maturing within three months. This product moves in price linked to the Japanese yen and allows investment in the 'Super Yen.' Geum explained, "Existing yen investment ETFs invest in yen futures, making it difficult to invest through retirement pension accounts. However, 'PLUS Japan Yen Ultra-Short-Term Government Bond' will be the only product available for investment in all tax-advantaged accounts such as personal pensions, retirement pensions, and ISA accounts. We expect additional performance from bond interest income when Japanese interest rates rise in the future."

Hanwha also introduced 'PLUS Global AI Infrastructure,' which invests 25% in Nvidia, a leader in the AI ecosystem, and 75% in AI infrastructure companies. This ETF focuses on AI infrastructure centered around data centers where semiconductors are used, investing in companies related to high-performance network equipment, infrastructure for massive power supply, and cooling systems for efficient energy use.